Internet Explorer Users Are Dumber, Study Proves

In a study that would spark outrage over its self-evidence had it been funded by Congress, the Canadian "psychometric testing" company AptiQuant showed that, on average, IE users are less intelligent than those surfing the web with Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.

Those using Opera, congratulations. You're the Mensa members of web browsing.

But if the findings weren't insulting enough to those left to languish in Microsoft's hoi polloi, the study showed that IE users actually have IQs that were below average.

Yep. We're talking double-digits.

The stats were compiled by subjecting over 100,000 people to IQ tests over the course of four weeks. AptiQuant writes, "There was no significant difference in the IQ scores between individuals using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple's Safari; however, it was on an average higher than IE users. Individuals using Opera, Camino, and IE with Chrome Frame scored a little higher on an average than others."

Adding, "These data support the hypothesis that the IQ score and the choice of web browser are related."

Another finding of note was that the average IQ of IE users has dropped significantly over the last five years -- which implies, AptiQuant claims, "a lot of people with higher IQ are moving away from IE to other browsers."

So if you can think of a way Microsoft can save face and positively spin these results, you likely already use the browser of a competitor.